El Hijo del Vikingo

El Hijo del Vikingo
Vikingo in January 2023
Birth nameEmmanuel Roman Morales
Born (1997-04-29) April 29, 1997 (age 27)
Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
Children2
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Aracno
El Hijo de King Vikingo
El Hijo del Vikingo
Hijo del Vikingo
Billed height1.69 m (5 ft 6+1⁄2 in)
Billed weight73 kg (161 lb)
Trained byKing Vikingo
DebutDecember 12, 2012

Emmanuel Roman Morales (born April 29, 1997), better known by his ring name El Hijo del Vikingo, is a Mexican luchador (or professional wrestler). He works for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), where his reign as AAA Mega Champion was the longest, holding the championship for 833 days. He also makes appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Ring of Honor.

Professional wrestling career

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (2017–present)

Los Jinetes del Aire (2017–2021)

Vikingo made his debut on the independent circuit and was defeated by Pequeno Cobra with Guerrerito de Plata, Memin Pinguin, Nube Negra, Pequeno Joker, Pequeno Kraneo, Alebrije and Vega Streetfighter.

In 2017, he began working full-time for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA), initially working in the first match of the night teaming with Concord and Octagoncito to defeat Bronco Gonzalez, Guerrero de Plata and Mini Abismo Negro. At Triplemanía XXV, El Hijo del Vikingo teamed with Angelikal and The Tigger to defeat Angel Mortal Jr., Tiger Boy and Villano III Jr. in the final of La Llave a la Gloria. That same night, he was named the winner of the tournament along with Ashley and Angelikal, but nevertheless, Director of Talent of AAA Vampiro announced that the fourteen finalists would all receive a contract with the promotion.

On November 18, 2018, Vikingo teamed with Angelikal and Laredo Kid to defeat El Nuevo Poder del Norte (Carta Brava Jr., Tito Santana and Mocho Cota Jr.), that same night the trio demanded a match for the AAA World Trios Championship. In December, at Guerra de Titanes, the trio (with Angelikal changing gimmicks to Myzteziz Jr. the same night) defeated El Nuevo Poder del Norte again to win the titles. Going into 2019, the trio would go on to be known as Los Jinetes del Aire ("The Air Raiders").[1] On June 9, 2019, Vikingo unsuccessfully challenged Laredo Kid for the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship.[2] Prior to Triplemanía XXVIII, Laredo Kid vacated the AAA World Trios Championship in order to focus on his singles career following advice from La Parka and Golden Magic would replace him in the trio. At the event, the trio won the vacant AAA World Trios Championship in a three way match which included El Nuevo Poder del Norte and Las Fresas Salvajes (Pimpinela Escarlata, Mamba, and Máximo).[3] Later in the year, Golden Magic would change his gimmick to Octagon Jr.[4] At Guerra de Titanes, Myzteziz Jr. and El Hijo del Vikingo unsuccessfully challenged AAA World Tag Team Champions the Lucha Brothers (Fénix and Pentagón Jr.) in a match that also included Australian Suicide and Rey Horus.[5] On February 22, 2020, Los Jinetes del Aire successfully defended the AAA World Trios Championship against Los Mercenarios (La Hiedra, Rey Escorpión and Taurus).[6] The trio made a second successful defence on the May 2 episode of Major League Wrestling's Fusion against Injustice (Jordan Oliver, Kotto Brazil and Myron Reed).[7]

After an almost one year layoff due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vikingo returned to the ring on the February 12, 2021, episode of AAA on Space, teaming with Psycho Clown to defeat Chessman and Rey Escorpión. On the May 8 episode of AAA on Space, Los Jinetes del Aire lost the AAA World Trios Championship to Los Mercenarios (El Texano Jr., La Hiedra and Rey Escorpión). At Triplemanía XXIX and Héroes Inmortales XIV, Vikingo and Laredo Kid unsuccessfully challenged the Lucha Brothers for the AAA World Tag Team Championships.[8][9]

AAA Mega Champion and injury (2021–2024)

Vikingo was due to face Kenny Omega for the AAA Mega Championship at Triplemanía Regia II,[10] however, Omega was forced to pull out of the title defence and vacated the title due to requiring multiple surgeries.[11][12] On November 22, AAA announced a new champion would be determined in a five-way match at the event. On December 4, 2021 at Triplemanía Regia II, Vikingo defeated Samuray Del Sol, Bobby Fish, Jay Lethal and Bandido to win the vacant AAA Mega Championship.[13] The following day, he made his first successful title defence against Laredo Kid.[14]

Vikingo began 2022 with back-to-back AAA Mega title defences against Aramis on the January 27, 2022, episode of MLW's Azteca and Johnny Superstar at Rey de Reyes.[15] At Triplemanía XXX: Monterrey, on April 30, Vikingo teamed with Fénix in a losing effort against The Young Bucks. The following Triplemania XXX: Tijuana show on June 18 saw Vikingo on the losing end again, failing to win the AAA World Cruiserweight and Latin American Championships in a five-way match won by Fénix. At Triplemanía XXX: Mexico City, on October 15, Vikingo successfully defended the AAA Mega Championship against Fénix in a match where the Cruiserweight and Latin American titles were not on the line. Despite a generally mixed year in terms of results, Vikingo was ranked eighth in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's 2022 PWI 500, the highest ranked Mexican wrestler since Alberto Del Rio in 2013.[16] After suffering an injury, he vacated the title on March 17, 2024, ending his reigns with 833 days as champion.[17]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2018–2020; 2024–present)

Due to AAA's alliance with American promotion Impact Wrestling, Vikingo made a special appearance on the January 12, 2019 edition of Impact Wrestling, which was taped January 11–12, 2019 at Mexico City's Frontón México Entertainment Center. He was defeated by the Impact X Division Champion Rich Swann. Vikingo teamed up with Aero Star, Psycho Clown and Puma King in an Elimination Match where they defeated Eddie Edwards, Eli Drake, Fallah Bahh and Sami Callihan winning the Impact World Cup.

On October 27, 2024, after just returning to in-ring action from a knee injury, it was reported that Vikingo had suffered a leg injury during a taping of Impact!.[18]

All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2023–2024)

Vikingo in 2024 wearing an entrance mask

Vikingo made his debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the March 22, 2023 edition of Dynamite, where he was defeated by Kenny Omega in the main event.[19] On March 30, Vikingo made his debut for AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), defeating Blake Christian.[20] The following day at Supercard of Honor, Vikingo successfully defended his AAA Mega Championship against Komander.[21] Vikingo is not an official member of the AEW roster and according to Konnan he's one of the very few talents AEW hasn't signed from AAA.[22]

Personal life

Morales has at least two children from previous relationships, one of whom was with luchadora Hades.[23][24]

Championships and accomplishments

Vikingo as the AAA Mega Champion in 2023

References

  1. ^ a b Ocampo, Ernesto (December 4, 2018). "AAA: "Guerra de Titanes 2018" Cambio de monarca". SuperLuchas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on December 6, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  2. ^ "AAA Conquista Total Gira 2019". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  3. ^ "AAA Triplemania XXVII live results: Cain Velasquez debuts". The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. August 3, 2019. Archived from the original on January 2, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  4. ^ Acosta, Carlos (September 8, 2019). "Polemica legal y moral: AAA euta a un nuevo Octagón Jr". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  5. ^ "Big Mami rapó a Lady Maravilla en Guerra de Titanes". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). December 14, 2019. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  6. ^ "AAA Nacemos Para Luchar Gira 2020". Cagematch.net. Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  7. ^ "MLW Fusion Episode #108 Results AAA Trios Tag Team Championship Match". Fightful. 2009-05-04. Archived from the original on 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  8. ^ Juan C Reneo (August 14, 2021). "AAA TripleMania XXIX Live Results: Kenny Omega Vs. Andrade El Idolo". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  9. ^ "AAA Heroes Inmortales XIV (10/9) Results: Steel Cage Main Event, Lucha Bros Defend Tag Gold | Fightful News". www.fightful.com. Archived from the original on 2023-04-10. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  10. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 18, 2021). "Kenny Omega And Cain Velasquez Bouts Announced For AAA TripleMania Regia". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  11. ^ Nason, Jordan (November 19, 2021). "AEW'S KENNY OMEGA TO GET MULTIPLE SURGERIES, OUT OF TRIPLEMANIA REGIA". wrestlingobserver. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  12. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 22, 2021). "Kenny Omega Officially Vacates AAA Mega Championship, Omega Comments". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  13. ^ Guzzo, Gisberto; Pulido, Luis (December 4, 2021). "AAA TripleMania Regia 2021 Results (12/4/21): FTR Defend AAA Tag Titles Against Lucha Bros". Fightful. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  14. ^ "AAA/Barba Produccion Negra Navidad". cagematch.net. Archived from the original on April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
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  16. ^ "Roman Reigns Tops 2022 PWI 500, Second Time At Number One". www.fightful.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  17. ^ Rubio, Antonio (March 17, 2024). "El Hijo del Vikingo deja vacante el Megacampeonato de AAA". SoloWrestling (in Spanish). Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  18. ^ Barnard, Adam (October 27, 2024). "El Hijo del Vikingo Injured During TNA Impact Taping [VIDEO]". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  19. ^ "Kenny Omega vs El Hijo Del Vikingo Awarded 5 Stars By Dave Meltzer - Atletifo". 2023-03-24. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-03-27.
  20. ^ "El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Blake Christian, Eddie Kingston in Action, More Added to 3/30 Episode of ROH TV | Fightful News". Archived from the original on 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  21. ^ Williams, Suit (March 31, 2023). "ROH Supercard of Honor live results: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  22. ^ "EL HIJO DEL VIKINGO'S AEW CONTRACTUAL STATUS REVEALED". Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  23. ^ "Súper feliz con la llegada de mi hermoso hijo, gracias a la vida por el regalo tan maravilloso que me ha dado". Instagram. October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  24. ^ Cano, Saúl (December 4, 2021). "TRIPLEMANÍA REGIA: HIJO DEL VIKINGO CONQUISTÓ EL MEGACAMPEONATO DE LUCHA LIBRE AAA" [TRIPLEMANÍA REGIA: SON OF THE VIKING CONQUERED THE AAA WRESTLING MEGACHAMPIONSHIP]. Record (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  25. ^ Caldwell, Brandon; Raimondi, Marc (August 3, 2023). "From MJF and Rhea to...a Viking? Here are the 30 best pro wrestlers under 30". ESPN. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  26. ^ Rose, Bryan (October 19, 2019). "AAA HEROES INMORTALES LIVE RESULTS: FENIX VS. KENNY OMEGA". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  27. ^ Dark Angelita (December 9, 2019). "AAA: Hijo del Vikingo y Keyra ganan Lucha Capital 2". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  28. ^ Culitco, El (May 16, 2021). "Lucha Libre AAA Lucha por la Identidad de Mexico Show in Zacatlan Review (05/15/2021)". Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
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  31. ^ "Warrior Wrestling 27 Results (1/21): Konosuke Takeshita, Hijo el Vikingo, Buddy Matthews in Action | Fightful News". Archived from the original on 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
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